Bradley Wiggins withdraws from Giro d’Italia due to illness

Bradley Wiggins has withdrawn from the 2013 Giro d’Italia after suffering from a lingering chest infection, the Sky team confirmed on Friday morning. He will not start stage 13 after the team sought medical advice on Wiggins’ condition.

Wiggins struggled in the severe weather conditions on Thursday’s stage 12. Despite the flat nature of the route, he lost over three minutes to the peloton including race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and second-placed Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) – ending his chances of winning the race.

“We monitored Bradley overnight and this morning we’ve withdrawn him from the Giro after consulting the team doctor,” Sky team principal David Brailsford said in a statement. “His chest infection has been getting worse and our primary concern is always the health of our riders.

“Bradley will return to the UK today for treatment and to rest and we hope to have him back on the road as soon as possible.

“As a passionate racer he wanted to continue but he is simply unable to do so on medical grounds.”

Rigoberto Uran will now resume Sky team leadership. The Colombian currently sits third overall behind race leader Nibali and Evans.

Defending Giro champion Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) and sprinter Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) also withdrew from the race and will not start stage 13.